2a. Mission Statement:
Rhizome.org is an online platform for the global new media art community. Our programs support the creation, presentation, discussion and preservation of contemporary art that uses new technologies in significant ways. We foster innovation and inclusiveness in everything we do.
Website Link to Mission Statement:
http://rhizome.org/info/index.php
2b. Organization History / Organizational Overview. Index of important events in organization's history.:
Rhizome was founded in 1996 by the artist Mark Tribe as a mailing list run out of Berlin that provided a platform for the first artists who were experimenting with art online. In 1998 Tribe relocated to New York City and proceeded to grow the organization’s infrastructure and programs. The online archive ArtBase, an expanding repository for ten years of new media art, was founded in 1999 along with its complement the TextBase, an ongoing, searchable archive of critical writing on new media art. Rhizome’s site became a central community hub for new media artists; and the organization’s publications established themselves as essential resources for keeping abreast of new artist projects, activities and critical debate within the field. In September 2003, Rhizome became an affiliate of the New Museum of Contemporary Art; while Rhizome maintains its status as a separate 501(c)(3) with its own staff, the New Museum provides administrative support.
Rhizome other activities include an annual cycle of Commissions, through which the organization awards grants to a group of artists each year to produce original works of new media, an Exhibitions program and different forums for online discussions. Rhizome maintains Member-submitted listings of opportunities for jobs and internships, calls for projects and exhibition proposals, and a calendar of new media arts eventsl
Rhizome is supported in part by funding from foundations and government agences, and by revenue from its various earned income initiatives including web hosting and advertising in our publications. Rhizome is also deeply reliant on its Members for active participation in its programs, and also as a source of financial support. Rhizome.org receives 1 million hits per month and has over 15,000 subscribers to its various publications, all representing countries and cultural groups around the world.
Website Link to Organization's History / Organization Overview:
2c. Exhibition / Programming / Publishing History.:
Rhizome exhibitions have historically been organized by Rhizome staff. In recent years, they have also been organized by Guest Curators. You can see these exhibits here: http://rhizome.org/art/exhibition/ and by Members, http://rhizome.org/art/member-curated/. The history of exhibitions by Rhizome staff is by far the most significant but has not been compiled. Our most recent exhibition was Rhizome ArtBase 101 which ran at the New Museum this past Summer, from June 22nd to Sept 10th. The release for it is here: http://www.newmuseum.org/more_exh_rhizomeartbase101.htm